Coupe: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302.

PHOTO: Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News

By Graeme Fletcher, National Post

Originally published: October 21, 2011

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For 2012, the Boss 302 has been resurrected as a limited-edition model, based on the Mustang GT. However, just about every component has been reworked or replaced. In the end, it is a distant relative to the donor car.

The 2012 model has a front splitter, white roof and white power dome along with some Boss decals along the flanks. Beneath the brightwork, however, the Boss is a very different Mustang.

The work starts with the suspension. The Boss rides 11 millimetres lower at the front and one mm lower at the rear, the springs have been stiffened and the anti-roll bars thickened when compared with the GT. However, what really makes the bigger difference is the addition of manually adjustable shocks. In all, there are five settings. In the end, the one thing that becomes only too clear is that this work has imbued the Boss with much sharper handling — the response to steering input is fast and unerring and, when the brake pedal is hammered, there is much less nose dive.

There are some other changes that also make a big difference. The steering’s weight can be altered through a menu in the gauge cluster — there are comfort, normal and sport modes. There are sport and off positions for the electronic stability nanny. Finally, the Boss gets upgraded Brembo brakes. It needs them!

Having tightened the handling, the Boss team turned to the drivetrain. A high-rise intake manifold, cold air intake and a more aggressive cam profile bring much better top-end power. Where the GT’s 5.0L churns out 412 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, the Boss makes 444 at a lofty 7,400 rpm.

The upgrades come together very nicely. Tromp the gas from a standstill and the Boss rockets to 100 kilometres an hour in 4.6 seconds. When everything comes on cam, the 80-to-120-km/h gap is covered in a blindingly quick 3.8 seconds in third gear.

The Boss is not only much faster and far more fun then the GT, the handling is remarkably good — flat and unflappable is a fair description. Push the Boss 302 to the limit and it does not snap back at the driver like a rabid dog. Sweet.